Deal to move pupil unit to new £2.8m academy from Culver Centre, South Ockendon to former ack Lobley School site in Tilbury

A SCHOOL for vulnerable children will be improved and moved from South Ockendon to Tilbury.

Thurrock Council has agreed to relocate the pupil referral unit from the Culver Centre, in Daiglen Drive, to new premises on the site of the former Jack Lobley School, in Leicester Road.

At the latest council meeting, leader John Kent said he hoped to see the £2.8million school up and running in a year, adding it was important children who used the site were able to access better facilities than they current had.

Mr Kent said: “If we are committed to education and supporting our children, the accommodation, location and facilities have to be better than they are at the Culver Centre.”

The unit is due to be converted into an academy in June, with the Olive Academies Trust as sponsor.

The trust has been helping the council help find a suitable site.

The closure of the Culver Centre will see its other facilities, such as training and meeting rooms, moved to the council’s offices in Grays from July.

The council’s music education service will be relocated to the High House Production Park.

A pupil referral unit offers alternative provision for those children unable to attend a mainstream school for various reasons, including behavioural issues and those who are ill.

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